rec.autos.simulators

I have bought ICR, ICR2 and GP2.  But I had the chance to try them out
first.  I know the means for doing that are not always hum... legal
but I think you should always be able to try something before you buy
it, and it should not cost you a buck.

I've tried the N2demo, it runs almost fine on my P100, but what I'd
realy like is to have a chance to try the rendition version before I
buy it.  But wait!  Don't flame me, I'm not done!

What I wanted to know is:

1- Are there any demo versions of N2 including the rendition support?

2- Can you buy it, try it and then send it back if you don't like it
without having to pay half the price of the game in shipping, handling
and postage fees?

I do not have N1, I am not a fan of nascars.  But when I tried
Indycar2's rendition release, it simply amazed me!  It's just as if
they re-invented simracing!  The AI cars are moving so smoothly on the
track, you can really do wheel to wheel racing...  So with that in
mind I thought I should give Nascar Racing a fair chance, and that's
why I decided to buy it.  But I don't want to get ripped-off, I'm just
a poor student and even if I have a little money to spend, I don't
need to waste it.  See my point?

Any help is welcome, or if you want to flame me for using pirated
software before I bought ICR, ICR2 and GP2 then go ahead, I'd like to
know what most people think about this situation where you have to buy
surprise boxes and you don't have a clue if you'll like it or not, and
sometimes I've wondered if there was anything useful in the box...

My 2 cents

A. Renault

-Aw C'mon

Sierra has a 30-day money back guarantee, and many stores will allow
you try the software and return it directly to them. If the store will
not permit that, Sierra will take it back, but it's through the mail,
and I think you pay the shipping...

---Jim Sokoloff, Papyrus

Buy it at Electonics Boutique.  They have a 10 day no questions asked
return policy. Haven't tried the rendition version yet so I can't help you
there.

Mike Lewis

Antoine:

JIM:

REPLY:

Well let me state that I'm no fan of Nascar on TV (To me it's silly watching
men drive in circles). But when you actually get to drive around the circles
it's great fun. Sorta like the old baseball cliche for me. It's boring to
watch but damn fun to play. So my bottom line is, playing Nascar is much
different than watching Nascar, I think most anybody should agree.

Antoine:

REPLY:

Nascar 2 Rendition is good, but it's not the quality of ICR2 in terms of
smoothness or graphics. But again both graphics and smoothness are both very
good. It's worth a look for sure.

Q.B.M.

Hi,
    I saw a rebroadcast of a race from Rockingham on TNN last weekend
and it amazes me how close NASCAR2 comes to the real thing.  Sure
there are a few things different, but I could regonize track side
objects.  If you watch NASCAR, playing the game gives you even more
appreciation and understanding of the sport.

John

It is clearly posted at the register.

David Martin

On Wed, 08 Jan 1997 22:10:40 -0500, "Aw C'mon!"

I find it strange though (?) that software vendors do not place any
emphasis on these details.  If I had known there were such policies on
returns then the problem would never have existed in the first place.

Thank you for your answer.

A. Renault

Does Electronics Boutique sell software in Canada (Quebec)?

If not, is anyone aware of some place here where I could buy N2 on
this risk-free basis?

A. Renault

  If you use copyrighted software that you haven't paid for you *ARE*
a thief, no matter how much you try to rationalize it.  

   I hope that when you conclude your student years, join the real
world, and try to make a living, that you won't mind others "sampling"
the fruits of your labor.

   I find it strange, that if "try before you buy" or a money-back
guarantee is so important to you, that you haven't asked retailers or
publishers about this before.  No, piracy was your *first* choice.

   BTW, stores in the US (such as Egghead or CompUSA) often have
computers available to try programs before you buy.  One less
excuse...

Before you send me UCE, I know what you're thinking...  Did he complain
to five or six postmasters last month?  Now, you must ask yourself one
question: "Do I feel lucky?"  Well, do you, punk?

Hi Jim,

Looks like they made the policy even better. I saw a posting from Sierra
at Best Buy and it is a 90 day money back with the same conditions you
describe.

Regards,
        ---Wayne.

---Jim Sokoloff, Papyrus

On Sat, 11 Jan 1997 23:24:12 -0500, "Aw C'mon!"

I know but you always have to minimise the risk factor.  Money is not
that dear, but before I decide to eat bologna for the rest of the
session so I can afford some product, I'd like to take down the risks
to their minimal extent.

I don't use, I try.  These are two different concepts in my mind.
When I like what I try, I buy.  If I don't like what I try, I delete.
I know it's hard for people wothout self-discipline to fit in the
"shareware" concept, but you must admitt it has some good sides.
There are many software products that I wouldn't have bought if I had
not tried them first, simply because I didn't know of the product or
didn't think it could be useful.  If everyone could use their heads,
the "shareware" concept would give good publicity to a product while
also letting the user try before he buys.  I know this isn't
realistic, but I don't know why we have to put up with all the
disadvantages.  The companies have to take their share, and maybe if
they did there would be less piracy.

I also know Nascar 2 is not Shareware.  But I think they sould at
least release an updated demo so people can see what it actually looks
like.

I don't know about the USA's but here in Canada every engineer has to
go through a "training period", wich is kinda like a trial period for
your employer.  I wouldn't ask anyone to pay for my services if my
work did not fulfill their needs.  In our time people pay for the
results, not for the efforts.  It's not fair, but that's the way it
works.

Only one problem...  I'm not living in the USA and I haven't seen
anything like that here in Canada.  And believe me, I asked.  Most of
the stores I go to have a no returns policy on software, unless the
media on wich it is written is defective.  I'm glad to hear there are
places wich let you try a product and give you a full satisfaction
warranty, no questions asked.

I am not condoning software piracy.  I think that it contributes to
the high prices we pay for our software.  But I don't think I do
contribute, because I don't redistribute pirated software, and in
finally I almost alway buy that product, because if I'm willing to
take the risk of getting it the wrong way to try it, it's mostly
because I have a real interest in that product.

Hope this clears things up.

A. Renault